Getting lost in the Dixon corn maze is half the fun

DIXON

Published 4:00 am, Friday, October 26, 2007

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 1of/21

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 21

cornmaze_084_ls.jpg
From right: Alan Holman of Sacramento, Brooke Abess, 3 of Vallejo and Carol Childo of Sacramento. Holman and Chido "fly" Brook Abess on her broom through the corn maze as they try to make their way out. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

cornmaze_084_ls.jpg
From right: Alan Holman of Sacramento, Brooke Abess, 3 of Vallejo and Carol Childo of Sacramento. Holman and Chido "fly" Brook Abess on her broom through the corn maze as they try to make ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 2 of 21

cornmaze_aerial.jpg Undated aerial image of the corn maze in Dixon. According to the Guiness Book of World Records, the 40-acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins, the biggest in the world. Matt Cooley / Courtesy to The Chronicle �2007, San Francisco Chronicle
MANDATORY CREDIT FOR PHOTOG AND SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE/NO SALES-MAGS OUT less

cornmaze_aerial.jpg Undated aerial image of the corn maze in Dixon. According to the Guiness Book of World Records, the 40-acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins, the biggest in the world. Matt Cooley / Courtesy ... more

Photo: Matt Cooley

Image 3 of 21

cornmaze_110_ls.jpg
(in grey and white shirt) Chase Grigsby, 6, of Vallejo, points out over the corn maze in Dixon. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

cornmaze_110_ls.jpg
(in grey and white shirt) Chase Grigsby, 6, of Vallejo, points out over the corn maze in Dixon. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 4 of 21

Zach Bergevin, 7, of Davis tries to figure out the maze map with his father, Jesse Bergevin (hands) from atop the bridge. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

Zach Bergevin, 7, of Davis tries to figure out the maze map with his father, Jesse Bergevin (hands) from atop the bridge. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 5 of 21

cornmaze_044_ls.jpg
From left: Blake Cohlan and Krystle Lake both of San Francisco cuddle atop the bridge in the corn field. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

cornmaze_044_ls.jpg
From left: Blake Cohlan and Krystle Lake both of San Francisco cuddle atop the bridge in the corn field. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 6 of 21

cornmaze_050_ls.jpg
Corn maze attendees stand atop the set of "large stairs" in the corn field. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

cornmaze_050_ls.jpg
Corn maze attendees stand atop the set of "large stairs" in the corn field. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 7 of 21

From left: Madeline Boerstra, 4 1/2; Alice Boerstra, and Brittany Boerstra, 12 of Folsom , study the corn maze map from the middle of the corn maze. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

From left: Madeline Boerstra, 4 1/2; Alice Boerstra, and Brittany Boerstra, 12 of Folsom , study the corn maze map from the middle of the corn maze. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 8 of 21

From left: Alan Holman of Sacramento, Brooke Abess, 3 of Vallejo and Carol Childo of Sacramento. Holman and Chido "fly" Brook Abess on her broom through the corn maze as they try to make their way out. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

From left: Alan Holman of Sacramento, Brooke Abess, 3 of Vallejo and Carol Childo of Sacramento. Holman and Chido "fly" Brook Abess on her broom through the corn maze as they try to make their way out. The ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 9 of 21

From left: Alan Holman of Sacramento, Brooke Abess, 3 of Vallejo and Carol Childo of Sacramento. Holman and Chido "fly" Brook Abess on her broom through the corn maze as they try to make their way out. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

From left: Alan Holman of Sacramento, Brooke Abess, 3 of Vallejo and Carol Childo of Sacramento. Holman and Chido "fly" Brook Abess on her broom through the corn maze as they try to make their way out. The ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 10 of 21

Brook Abess, 3, gets a ride on her father's back through the corn maze as they make their way toward the "large stairs". Both of Vallejo. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

Brook Abess, 3, gets a ride on her father's back through the corn maze as they make their way toward the "large stairs". Both of Vallejo. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 11 of 21

From top: Chase Grigsby, 6, sits atop his father, Pat Grigsby's (btoh of Vallejo) shoulders as they look out over the corn maze. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

From top: Chase Grigsby, 6, sits atop his father, Pat Grigsby's (btoh of Vallejo) shoulders as they look out over the corn maze. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 12 of 21

A corn maze attendee's silhouette is cast over a hole in the wall on the "large stairs" which looks out over the corn field. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

A corn maze attendee's silhouette is cast over a hole in the wall on the "large stairs" which looks out over the corn field. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 13 of 21

From left: (at very bottom left of frame) Theodore Bradley, Kelly Siming holding Kaylani Siming, Richelle Raegas, Jeff Schiller, Joanna Sarmiento; Sophia Siming 11 months being held by Anna Siming. The Simings watch as Raegas, Schiller and Sarmiento try to figure out the corn maze map. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

cornmaze_167_ls.jpg
On left: Anna Siming holding Sophia Siming, 11 months, passes by Cheri Herman and Justin Herman, 11, both of Davis, in the corn maze. Both parties were trying to find their way out of the corn maze. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

cornmaze_167_ls.jpg
On left: Anna Siming holding Sophia Siming, 11 months, passes by Cheri Herman and Justin Herman, 11, both of Davis, in the corn maze. Both parties were trying to find their way out of the ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 15 of 21

A flag in the corn field warns attendees to turn back. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

A flag in the corn field warns attendees to turn back. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 16 of 21

cornmaze_219_ls.jpg
A corn cob sits atop a stack of maps. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

cornmaze_219_ls.jpg
A corn cob sits atop a stack of maps. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 17 of 21

The tips of corn stalks blow in the wind. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

The tips of corn stalks blow in the wind. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 18 of 21

Visitors to Cool Patch Pumpkins climb atop a giant stack of hay bales. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

Visitors to Cool Patch Pumpkins climb atop a giant stack of hay bales. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 19 of 21

cornmaze_247_ls.jpg
A sign with directions at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

cornmaze_247_ls.jpg
A sign with directions at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 20 of 21

From left: Erik Echeona, 9, carries a pumpkin over to a cart while his mother, Militza Echeona, watches. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze at Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, CA. Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Photo taken on 10/21/07 in Dixon, CA, USA. less

From left: Erik Echeona, 9, carries a pumpkin over to a cart while his mother, Militza Echeona, watches. The world's largest corn maze, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the 40 acre corn maze ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki

Image 21 of 21

Getting lost in the Dixon corn maze is half the fun

1 / 21

Back to Gallery

Corn is great for eating, but sometimes getting lost in it is more fun. Just ask the hordes tromping around the Cool Patch pumpkin field these days in the dusty farm town of Dixon.

That's where the world's largest corn maze is - 40 acres of spook-errific 10-foot-high green and yellow corn stalks that seem to go on forever. At least that's how it seems when you're standing in the middle of them.

The idea here, basically, is to wander around in this thing until you are hopelessly confused. That takes two minutes - roughly as long as it takes to turn two corners, which never seem to match the handheld map they give you at the gate.

After that, the finding-your-way-out part starts - which always seems to consume about an hour. And when all you can see is green and yellow corn stalks and blue sky, and every corner and aisle looks the same, that can be an a-maze-ingly long hour.

So say a lot of people, big and small, who have walked the Cool Patch maze, and the corn farmers who have been building it for six years.

"It takes about a week to assemble this thing every season, and even now, after running it all these years, I still get lost," said Mark Cooley, 50, who runs the farm with his brother, Matt, 47.

The pair used to grow tomatoes, but seven years ago decided to switch to better-paying pumpkins and corn. Once they planted 40 acres of yellow and 35 acres of orange, though, they needed a way to drag in customers to buy whatever they weren't selling to factories.

"Building a Ferris wheel was too expensive, so I went on the Internet for ideas," Cooley said. "I was starting to panic when I came across these mazes - and wham, it just made sense to do one in corn."

Turns out there are hundreds of corn mazes all over the planet, so it didn't take much to figure out how to build it.

The first year they did 20 acres, and they added a little more each year after that, as they learned to cut the maze paths early, in July, when the corn stalks are only about a foot high. "That way, the maze grows in place and we don't have to cut paths out of tall stalks and haul out a bunch of stuff," Matt Cooley said.

Last year, they cut into 35 acres, then this year came the big corn-huna: They added 5 acres, pushing them over the former corn maze champion in Canada. In city-folk terms, the 40 acres translates to one-third square mile.

An application complete with video footage, maps and witness testimonials to the Guinness World Records headquarters in Great Britain fetched an official designation on Sept. 26: Cool Patch is now the biggest corn maze in the world.

Toss in the 35-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch that sits alongside the maze - with tepees, spooky scarecrows, witchy playhouses and hay rides - and the whole affair is pretty aggressively aimed at the Halloween-season crowd.

Word of such things gets around fast in farm country. So ever since September, several hundred people a day from all over Northern California have been rolling down Dixon's country roads to check out the biggest thing in town since ... well, since anyone can remember.

"Boy, this smells so fresh in here," said Teresa Figueroa of Dixon, gingerly stepping through the 5-foot-wide opening the other day. Her pal, Sara Marques, peered at the maze map and strode left at the first turn.

Two minutes later, they stopped and looked around. Their gaze went to the map. Then the path. Then the map. Then the sky.

"OK, I have absolutely no idea where we are," Figueroa said. They strained their ears for a sound, any sound, but all they heard was the Central Valley breeze rustling the strawlike tops of the corn stalks.

"Good thing we just had lunch," Figueroa said, striding north ... or was it south? ... or west?

"This may take awhile."

The best way to get your orientation, it turns out, is to climb up on a fake bridge in the middle of the maze. If you can find it, that is.

"Overwhelming," mused Blake Cohen of San Francisco, as he stood on the bridge with his girlfriend, trying to reckon a way out. "Wonderful ... but overwhelming."

This walking-around-in-giant-corn-tunnels thing can be even more daunting for maze walkers who are only about 3 feet high. And probably even more fun.

"It's kind of scary," said 5-year-old Camrie Smith of Sacramento, warily eyeing the opening of the maze as if it were a haunted cave. She took a hesitant step, then looked up at her mother, Shauna Hughes.

"Am I going to find candy in there?" she asked. Mom shrugged and offered a piggyback.

"Can we eat the corn?" Camrie chimed.

"Not today," Hughes chuckled.

The pair and a half-dozen relatives plunged into the maze - and 20 feet in is when Camrie started looking worried.

"Watch out for the monsters and dragons," called out an uncle from the back of the crowd.

Camrie's eyes filled with horror.

"Monsters!" she yelped, then looked back and saw the family laughing.

She stared around at the green stalks climbing four times her height toward the sky, and sucked in a deep breath. Shimmying down off her mother's back, she dashed off down the trail toward ... well, nobody knew where ... and waved for the others to follow.

"Let's go!" Camrie cried.

Finding your way to the Cool Patch pumpkin field

Take Interstate 80 east to Dixon and exit on Currey Road. Go north over the overpass, then left at the first stop sign. Follow the sign to the corn maze. Admission: $9 adults, $6 for children 12 and younger. Call (530) 304-0163 for information.

Latest from the SFGATE homepage:

Click below for the top news from around the Bay Area and beyond. Sign up for our newsletters to be the first to learn about breaking news and more. Go to 'Sign In' and 'Manage Profile' at the top of the page.